Have You Hugged A System Administrator Today?

They are the engineers and physicians of our computing lives. From configuring our networks to defending against shadowy hackers, the system administrator is the rock which keeps us grounded. Today, the last Friday in the month of July, is the 11th annual worldwide System Administrator Appreciation Day. A silent guardian and watchful protector, the sysadmin is too often is taken for granted.

SysAdminDay.com explains some of the many wonderful things a sysadmin does for us:

A sysadmin unpacked the server for this website from its box, installed an operating system, patched it for security, made sure the power and air conditioning was working in the server room, monitored it for stability, set up the software, and kept backups in case anything went wrong. All to serve this webpage.

A sysadmin installed the routers, laid the cables, configured the networks, set up the firewalls, and watched and guided the traffic for each hop of the network that runs over copper, fiber optic glass, and even the air itself to bring the Internet to your computer. All to make sure the webpage found its way from the server to your computer.

We ought to remember that even in spite of their noble work and the increasing demand for IT workers as knowledgeable as they are, system administrators have seen their wages steadily decrease over the years, reports Network World. So be sure to say your thanks!

How have some celebrated? The folks over at Ksplice, for instance, have created a Choose Your Own Adventure in honor of the sysadmin. Perhaps take advantage of Facebook‘s Gifts just before they remove the function on August 1. Or alternatively, perhaps give them a DNA portrait to hang on their wall. Or maybe just steel yourself, overcome your social awkwardness, and give them a nice big bear hug.

(via /.)